Rajon Rondo inactive for Game 5, Isaiah Canaan will start for Bulls

Rajon Rondo inactive for Game 5, Isaiah Canaan will start for Bulls

BOSTON – Well it sounds like Rajon Rondo will in fact sit out tonight’s Game 5 matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls.

Chicago head coach Fred Hoiberg said Rondo (right thumb) and Cameron Payne will be on the team’s inactive list for tonight’s game.

Rondo suffered a right thumb injury in Game 2 and has not played for the Bulls since.

Shortly after the injury, the former Celtic said he was told by team doctors that it would be “a couple weeks” before he might have a shot at returning to the floor which under the best of circumstances, would have potentially returning for a Game 7 (if necessary).

While no one is shutting the door on a potential Game 6 return, Rondo didn’t sound all that optimistic.

“My thumb is the same as it was last week,” Rondo said this morning. “I think I’m wolverine, but it hasn’t healed that quickly yet.”

His absence has been sorely felt by the Bulls which jumped out to a 2-0 series lead with Rondo in the lineup.

Since his Game 2 injury, the Celtics won both Games 3 and 4 in Chicago to even the series up at two games apiece.

Hoiberg said the Bulls will start Isaiah Canaan who came off the bench in Game 4 to score 13 points.

While Canaan has seen limited action for the Bulls this season, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is more familiar with the former Murray State star than he wishes.

“He torched a team I coached in 2010 and he was 18 years old,” said Stevens who was the head coach of Butler at the time. “So I know all about him.”

Stevens said when the Celtics learned that Canaan was going to be on the active roster, they immediately added him to the team’s edit video in preparation for Game 4.

“It made sense,” Stevens said. “We thought we may see him in that game. He came in here and played really well when he was with Philadelphia. He’s played well against us when he was with Houston in the past. They’re really aware of what he does and what he does well.”

Thomas has had a rough go of it since leaving the Celtics. His brief tenure in Cleveland didn't go according to plan, and things haven't gotten a whole lot better out in L.A. The 29-year-old is averaging 15.3 points per game just a year after averaging 28.9 with Boston.

Horford not making any excuses after C's rough outing vs Pelicans

Horford not making any excuses after C's rough outing vs Pelicans

Al Horford understands that there’s plenty of blame pie to go around following Boston’s 108-89 loss to New Orleans.

Considering how Pelicans stud Anthony Davis dominated the game on so many levels Sunday night, Horford was quick to acknowledge his role in the loss.

“[Davis] was able to get behind our defense a lot,” Horford told reporters after the loss. “Some mistakes on my end; gotta give him credit. He dominated tonight. I’ll definitely take the blame for that.”

Davis finished with a double-double of 34 points and 11 rebounds, a total that would have been higher if not for the game being so lopsided which allowed Davis to head to the bench early in the fourth.

And Horford’s struggles defensively were just as problematic on offense as the five-time All-Star tallied just six points on 3-for-11 shooting to go with four rebounds and three assists.

Boston has been a team whose collective sums have fueled their success.

But Horford understands he has to be a high impact performer, a job that’s even more vital when key starters like Kyrie Irving (left knee soreness) and Jaylen Brown (concussion) are out as well as top reserves Marcus Smart (right thumb) and Daniel Theis (torn meniscus).

And by Horford’s own admission, he just didn’t bring it on Sunday at a level to give him and the Celtics a legit shot at winning the game.

“Defensively we had too many breakdowns,” Horford said. “And the game got away from us in the second half. So there’s no excuses. I didn’t give us a chance, either; missing a lot of looks offensively. I just need to be better.”

And he’ll have to be if Boston (47-23) is to get back on track with a win on Tuesday against a talented Oklahoma City squad led by Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony.

At full strength, the Thunder would be a significant challenge for the Celtics.

But having a roster with a number of key players out with injuries, it becomes even more imperative for Boston’s top players to elevate their play.

And as you scan this Celtics roster and examine those who are healthy enough to play, it’s clear that Horford more than any other Boston player, has to find a way to become more impactful.

Certainly, more points and rebounds would help.

But as we’ve seen time and time again with Horford, often his greatest contributions to winning games don’t necessarily show up in the final box score.

That being said, a six-point, four-rebound game doesn’t cut it.

Horford has to be better, something he knows better than anyone.

“I’ll definitely look at the film and see how I can be better individually,” Horford said. “The good thing about the NBA, is we have a chance to play on Tuesday. Hopefully we’ll learn from this game and be ready to go Tuesday at home.”